Full results at http://my3.raceresult.com/115873/info?lang=en

Firstly we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came to run, help, sponsor and spectate.  Everyone's involvement makes this event a huge success.  There are lots of special mentions, but most important goes to Isobel Ritchie for making the journey from Lossiemount to present the  prizes and to present the inaugural Don Ritchie Trophies to the 1st Scottish man and 1st Scottish woman which we hope will be an ongoing inspiration to all 100km and ultra distance runners.  (see below)

Other special thanks to Active Root for supply the race with their special Active Root ginger energy drink. Also Energy to Run for supply freshly made Mace Bars to every entrant.  Hope you all enjoyed both these Scottish energy products.

Next special mention goes to John Duncan, Highland Fling organiser, for supply his famous maquee and the coffee machine keeping us all happy.  Also all the helpers who came to help with counting and refreshments - your hard work is very much appreciated.  Now to the race report!

100km race

Charlie Harpur, Mid Essex Casuals, and Sophie Mullins, Fife AC. won the British 100km titles, on Sunday 24th March at the Sri Chinmoy Ultra Races in Perth.

On a chilly, but mainly sunny, early spring day, with a strong breeze at times the runners ran 42 laps of 2.38 km on the North Inch Park in Perth by the banks of the River Tay.

Harpur, running his first 100km event, recorded a superb time of 6 hours 44minutes 18 seconds to catapult him into the top 12 all time GB 100km road rankings.

Mullins, the bronze medallist from 2016, took a huge slice off her PB, narrowly missing the 8hour barrier to record 8.03.39 in the womens 100k race.

The Scots duo of defending GB champion Rob Turner, Edinburgh AC, and Kyle Greig, Metro Aberdeen set a steady pace from the start with Harpur, just off the pace but never more than a minute or two behind.

At 50km Greig, 3.19.50 held a slender 7 sec lead over Turner with Harpur in third merely seconds adrift.

At 75 km, it was Turner, 5.04.35, who held a small lead of just 7 seconds over Harpur with Greig still just under a minute behind.

With Greig, obviously having a bad spell slipping back, Harpur took the lead just beyond 80km at by 90km held a 2minute lead over Turner.

Harper, who had won the Gloucester 50k in January in just under 3 hours, continued to prove the stronger in the closing laps, winning comfortably in the end breaking Paul Navesey’s course record of 6.58.52 set in 2016. The more experienced Turner held things together well to finish second, in 6.51.49 a PB by almost 8 minutes also claiming the Scottish title. Greig, the current Scottish ultra trail champion, dug in to dip under the 7hour barrier in 6.54.42 to take third in the GB championship and 2nd scot ,All three athletes were inside Paul Navesey’s course record of 6.58.52 set in 2016.

 With England’s Kevin Rojas, Brighton 7.02.58 and Ollie Garrod, South London Harriers, 7.09.37 claiming 4th and 5th and Scotland’s James Stewart, 6 th and 3rd Scot in 7.25.31,England claimed a narrow victory on cumulative times, in the Anglo Celtic Plate team contest. Northern Ireland & Ulster, making their first appearance in the competition for a few years took 3rd team ahead of Wales.

In the womens race, Scotland made a clean sweep of the podium for both the British and Scottish Championship medals. Mullins and Fife AC club mate Morgan Windrum together with Lynne Allen, Kirkintilloch Olympians, ran together in the early stages. By 50km reached in 3.57.39, Mullins held a small lead over Windram, 4.00.51 with Allen in third 4.02.25.

Mullins who looked comfortable throughout, ran a superbly even paced race to clinch the GB title, just missing the 8 hour mark to win in 8.03.39, a massive PB. Windram took second in 8.21.36 with Scotland’s other team member Jo Murphy. Carnegie Harriers proving strong in the closing laps to take 3rd in 8.28.31 with Allen 4th in 8.33.26.

The Scots ladies were clear winners of the team competition ahead of England and Northern Ireland  & Ulster.

Turner and Mullins in claiming the Scottish titles also became the first winners of the Don Ritchie Trophies. The two cups awarded to celebrate the pioneering ultra distance exploits of the legendary Scot who passed away last year, were presented by Isobel Ritchie, Don’s wife.

50km race

In the accompanying 50km event Paulo Natali, Achilles, Ran an excellent 3.02.14 in the challenging breezy conditions, with Kerry-Liam Wilson, Cambuslang, taking 2nd place in 3.13.45. The popular Scot claimed the Scottish 50km title to add to his many other Scottish championship medals.   Andrew White, Greenock Glenpark, took third and second place in the  Scottish championship in 3.14 .51. David Tamburini,I nverclyde in 5th  took 3rd place in the Scottish championships.

Anna Holdroyd, Ribble Valley won the ladies in 3.28.07, ahead of Belper’s  Beth Pascall , 3.35.19. Angela Howe. Fife AC took third and the Scottish title in 4.01.31.

Full results at http://my3.raceresult.com/115873/info?lang=en